Obesity centre proposed for McMaster U.

McMaster University in Hamilton is proposing to create Canada's first obesity treatment centre.

A new centre is seen as a way to ease the current five-year wait time for patients hoping to solve severe obesity through bariatric surgery, also known as "stomach stapling."

A study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found those who had bariatric surgery lost more than 77 pounds on average. Most were cured of related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.

There are about 20,000 morbidly obese patients in southern Ontario. About 4,500 people seek bariatric surgery each year, but fewer than 300 have the surgery in Canada. Many instead have travelled to the U.S., where the procedure can cost up to $70,000 US if there are complications.

The McMaster centre would also train health professionals across the province to set up similar programs. It would also offer long-term weight management programs for obese patients.

A proposal for the centre is currently being reviewed by provincial officials.